Squeezing mechanism



Jan 1 J. 5. CLARK 87,

SQQUEEZING MECHANISM Original Filed Nov. 2, 1927 4 wmtoz Patented den. 6,1931 i aosnrn s. CLARK, or nammonn, MARYLAN SQUEEZING MECHANISM Application filed November 2', 1927, Serial No. 230,411. Renewed May 2 0, 1930.

My invention relates to squeezing mechanisms.

The principal object of my invention is to devise a mechanism for the flattening; or squeezing, of a collapsible container carrying a substance which it is desired to discharge through an opening therein, said nrechanism'alsoserving as a storage unit for the container at other times.

A further object is to devise a mechanism of the character described which is arranged to guide, as it is formed, the flattened'portion of the container for the purpose of preventing the formation of an irregular shape that would hinder the containers withdrawal from the device when desired.

A further object is to devise a mechanism for the above purpose which is characterized by a simplicity of construction, low cost of manufacture, and which will perform its intended mode of functioning with improved efliciency relative to existing types.

Present devlces of the same general character as is dlsclosed in this application are believed to embody several disadvantages which seriously detract from their desirability for the intended purpose. Chiefly, these defects involve an undue complexity of arrangement for the performance of a relatively'silnple-task, or a failure to properly control the movement of the flattened portion of the container after passage between the squeezing rolls. The omission of any provision to meet the latter contingency usually results in the jamming, or irregular bending, of the flattened portion against an adjacent surface-as the device is operated. As. ordinarily, in a mechanism of the present character, the direction of rotation of the squeezing rolls must be reversed to withdraw the container from the device. it is apparent that the irregular bent portion will be passed between the rolls with great difficulty, if at all. y Accordingly, it has been my endeavor, in addition to devising a mechanism of simple character, to also incorporate therein means for positively controlling the movement of the flat portion issuing from the squeezing rolls, and to insure that this portion will assume a shape that may be readily repassed between the rolls. The squeezing rolls have been devised to both feed and compress the container throughout its width without the necessity for extraneous means.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specifica-. tion, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the novel means by which said objects are efi'ectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1' is a sectional-side elevation of one form of my improved mechanism, showing a collapsible container inserted therein.

Fig. 2 is a view looking in the direction of the a'rrow'2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but illustrating a modified form of my improved mechanism.

The numeral 10 represents a housing which e is secured in any approved manner to a supporting structure 11 and which opens downwardly as viewed in Fig 1, although it will be understood that saidfhousing'may open in other directions, depending upon the direc- Li H,

'tibn from which the collapsible tube hereinafter noted is inserted. A pair of cooperating squeezing rolls 1212 are revolubly mounted on suitable pintles within the sides of said housing adjacent the bottom thereof. In order to facilitate the insertion of said rolls within the housing 10, one pintle on the end of each of said rolls inserted in an elon; gated slot 13, as shown in Fig. 1. This con struction permits of the mounting of the rolls within the housing 10 without any necessity for springing the sides thereof. The rolls are roughened, or knurled, throughout their length for a purpose hereinafter explained and are spaced apart a distance de endent upon the flattened thickness of the tu e to be operated 'upon. One of the pintles of the rolls 12 extends through one side of the hfous- 2 ing 10 and a finger grip 14 is secured thereto for operative purposes.

Above the rolls 12, the top of the housing 10 is inclined, as at 15, to the axial plane of said rolls and said inclined part terminates in another portion 16 of said top substantially *parallelto said plane. 'A curved portion 17 connects the portions 15 and 16 for a purpose hereinafter explained. In using my improved mechanism, the end of a collapsible tube.18, such as that used to contain a dentifrice, is inserted between-the rolls 12 and the grip 14 then rotated in a direction tosqueeze the tube, thus discharging the contents'as at 19. During this operation, it will be apparent that the rolls both feed the tube. between the rolls because of their'roughened exterior, and also squeeze the tube for the purpose: noted. Moreover, a more effective discharge of the tubes eon tent-s is obtained by a knurling of the rolls throughout their'length than would be the case if restricted to only a portion thereof.

As the contents of the tube 18 are expelled, the flattened portion thereof risestoward the 20 portion 15 of the housing 10- and is deflected to one side of itsdirectionof movement, as

- shown clearly in Fig. l. Continued mov e-'- ment of the rolls 12 then causes a curving of the flattened tube substantially as shown, a

5 result which isfac'ilitated bythe shape of the 7 top of the housing 10. When the contents of the tube 18 areeompletely discharged, it then becomes necessary to withdraw the squeezed 1 tube which is achieved by rotating the rolls in an opposite direction. During this niove- :ment, it is" obvious that the curved, flattened portion of the tube will pass readily between the rolls sothat the withdrawal of a tube is occasioned \vithout'difiiculty.

In Fig. 3 is' illustrated' a modification of the strueturenoted above,.being designed to operate with'tubes of a greater length. The construction is identical with that above described, with the exception that the portion 15. merges into a curved portion 20 which extends downward toward the bottom of the Housing 10. Hence, the flattened tube issuing from between the rolls 12 is bent into a sub-. stantially U-shape, which is readily repasscd between the rolls.

' I' donot desire tobe restricted to the precise'shape of housing shown, for the gist of my invention resides in properly-controlling the movement of the flattened tube for, the purposeof preventing the formation of a jammed conditionwhich would resist withdrawal from the mechanism. The arrangement as shown is intended for illustrative purposes only andin no wise to confine my device to the exact forms and structures disclosed, for many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my im'ention.

1 claim: l. A squeezing mechanism for collapsible tubes consisting of a frame member, squeez ing rollers mounted in said frame, a portion of said frame extending over said rollers and 65 having a curved section'arranged to deflect the flattened portion of the tube to one side as itis passed from the rollers.

2. A squeezing mechanism for collapsible tubes consisting of a frame member, squeezing mechanism consisting of at least. one

roller mounted in said frame, said frame having a top member consisting of a continuous wall extending from in front of the squeezing mechanism, and being curved over the top of the squeezing mechanism and then-extending downward rearwardly of the squeezing mechanism, whereby the portion of a tube which is flattened by passing through said squeezing mechanism is deflected preferably rearwardly and then passes downwardly back of said squeezing mechanism.

In' testimony whereof, I afiixmy signature.

' JOSEPH S. CLARK. 

